Telecommunications and broadband internet are high on the agenda for Club 20’s Summer Committee Meetings in Cortez on Thursday and Friday.
The meetings open on Thursday at Cortez City Hall, 210 E. Main St., with a 9 a.m. presentation about broadband grant applications from Abel Chavez of CenturyLink, followed by updates from the city and county officials Rick Smith and Jim McClain. Chelsea Jones, of Montezuma County Economic Development, also will speak about internet opportunities.
Montezuma County commissioners have agreed to ask voters in November to approve a county sales tax that would finance new broadband infrastructure for improved internet service countywide.
The county is seeking a 1 percent sales tax to build a fiber-optic broadband utility. County commissioners estimate the tax will generate $1.7 million to $2 million per year in revenues by providing high-speed, affordable internet service to homes, schools and businesses.
The new sales tax would be on most goods purchased in the county, Cortez, Mancos and Dolores. All registered voters in the county and Ute Mountain reservation will have the chance to decide the matter at the ballot box.
If approved, the sales tax revenues would be earmarked to finance an extensive broadband infrastructure project estimated to cost $39 million.
CLUB 20 is a coalition of individuals, businesses, corporations, local governments and Native American tribes from Colorado’s 22 western counties. Its stated mission to “promote and protect the West Slope” through a series of policy meetings, educational forums, networking opportunities and other special events.
Club 20’s agenda shifts to health care on Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. with presentations on health insurance rates, mental health care in the context of the Affordable Care Act, an update on Amendment 69 (ColoradoCare), and prescription prices.
Beginning at 2 p.m., the schedule turns to business affairs, with presentations from Colorado Office of Economic Development, and the offices of U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton, Sen. Cory Gardner and Sen. Michael Bennet.
Transportation and workforce development come to the forefront on Friday, including presentations from the Colorado Department of Transportation and Club 20, beginning at 9 a.m. Director of the Montezuma School to Farm Project, Zoë Nelsen, speaks at 11:35 a.m.
Friday afternoon, beginning at 2 p.m., tourism takes center stage, with presentations from Tawnie Knight, the Ute Mountain Utes’ office of economic development.
An after-hours networking reception is planned for Thursday, July 7 at Stone Fish Sushi at 16 W. Main St., from 5:30-7:30 p.m. It’s open to the public. For more information, call Kimberly Lindsey of Club 20, at 970-242-3264.
